Some people invest in metals, others the stock market, others rely on their pensions, but I say, if/when the sh-i-t really hit the fan, I think its best to have something real, something people need… like food. And although small farmers may have been pushed out in places like the US, they still thrive in Ecuador.

And I like hospitality because I like to sleep.

Seriously, I often will sleep in well past 9 or 10am.

Now past 11am I just feel guilty so I usually don’t do it.

And in hospitality it’s one of those businesses where you go to sleep, wake up and have more money than when you went to sleep.

It’s nice. And its something that doesn’t have to consume you if you can trust someone enough to hire a good person to run it for you (not all can do this).

Plus at least I’ll always have a free place to sleep if I need it.

You can be in both these businesses types and still keep your day job.

There are many types of hospitality businesses. And you can find ’em all in Ecuador.

Hotels. Self explanatory, usually places with 20 rooms or more that cater to the short stay crowd. Before starting beware of the amount of services your guests expect and the number of employees you will need. A 24 hour business.

Hostels. Caters to the younger backpacker crowd and usually has rent-by-the-bed dorm rooms. A 24 hour business.

Bed and breakfast. Usually a house converted into a small hotel. More cozy personal feel for guests, some prefer B&Bs while other travelers prefer the privacy of a big hotel. Like different flavors of ice cream, all good just different. A 24 hour business.

Vacation rentals. This is the least hands-on hospitality business where you can easily manage from a distance and do not need to have full time employees like the other hospitality businesses require. This is when you rent out a whole housing unit (apartment or house) by the day, week or month to vacationers. A growing international trend. People who plan extended stays in places like it cause it allows them to cook and feel like they are getting a closer immersion to the local environment than a hotel can offer. Not a 24 hour business.

Motels. As it applies to Ecuador, different from the US, these are pay-by-the-hour places you go to shack up. Usually on the outskirts of the cities in Ecuador. Profitable yet slightly sleazy and it can be hard to get a permit. A 24 hour business.

Eco-lodge. Prevalent in the Amazon, its where people stay in local-style housing among a local indigenous community. Can be profitable if marketed right. Email me for help. A 24 hour business.

Camp sites/RV parks. Neither are common in Ecuador, due to lack of demand. Everywhere in Ecuador except the Galapagos you can pitch a tent on the beach and sleep, but most opt to not do it due to security concerns. Camp sites are few and far between and RV parks simply dont exist. Not good business ideas for Ecuador.

Boarding house. Common in Ecuador near larger universities, often a larger building or house with multiple rooms that rent room by room to primarily students who come from other towns to study, usually for around $100-150 a month per room. Sometimes with ensuites bathrooms, sometimes not. Not a 24 hour business.

Apart-hotel. Usually a small hotel made up of independent multi-room apartments with furnished kitchen that can rent by the night, week or month. A 24 hour business.

Retirement home. Only the first couple are starting to pop up in Ecuador due to zero local demand. For Ecuadoreans in Ecuador, it is a huge sin to put your parents in one of these homes. Demand mainly caused by foreigners in Ecuador. A 24 hour business.

Can’t say I don’t practice what I preach, come visit me at Quito Airport Suites.
So wheres best for these types of hospitality businesses in Ecuador? For that dont miss my next installment by subscribing to my weekly Ecuador Insiders Newsletter, you can unsubscribe at any time: